Clasp



, Securing and retaining 'the vends* of Yshoey Patented Feb. V8, 1927.

Bears Y maar l is. Herrn, or KEW GARDENS, nnwlroair; assreiion frooLeAfi. rrorrafor YKEW GARDENS/,-Nnwvoiaii f oLAsr;

My present invention relates to a clasp for strings, a though itsusceptibleV of.V other applications.'f In particular'myinventionrelatesto improvements in, and y'modifieations ofthe clasp described inthe Unitedv States Patent to Olga Il HoppefNo.V 1,439,241, grantedDecember' 19, 1922. 1tl is a lfurtherv aim of my 4invention to provideaclasp which Y i V the various figures, cam" shaped. memberV 18 is lshallnot only secure lthe ends oiga shoe string or lace but which shallV alsoserve to hold the tongue of the shoe'in place and pre-` venti it Afromworking around to one side of the shoe. l

5 My invention-will be best understood from the following detailed'description taken with the annexed drawings, in which:

Figure lis 'a perspectiveV view showing a clasp of my invention appliedtoa laced shoe and concealing thev ends of the shoe string. v

Figure 2 isa somewhat enlarged view, inl

longitudinal section of a preferredembodiment of my invention.V l Y l ff" Figure 3 .is 'a view-iin section taken along line 3-4-3 of Figure 2.'

1 Figure 4 is an enlarged view inV longitudinal section of amodiiicatiointhe' section beingotalren `along line'4-,-4 'of Figure 5v.

Figure 5 is aview inl` section taken along line 5-45 of Figure 4.

' Figure 6 is a sectional'view' taken alongA line 6 -6 of Figure 4. e

Figu-re 7 is a view in longitudinal section ,of the device shown inFigure 4 showing the A arrangement of parts when thev clasp is partiallyopen and corresponds ytoA a `section taken aloiig'line 7-7 of Figure5..'

Figure 8 isjaview in long jitudinal'sectionl l of a furthermodification.

Figure v9 is a view in section taken valong line 9-9 of Figure 8; and fFigure 10 is aview in section taken along line 10-10 ofl Figure 9 partsbeing broken away. 1 f f Y y Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, `10 denotesa portion of the shoe-upper 'll'tolwhieh my improved'device issecuredsuitably by means of'prongs 12 and 13'which areA inserted'through tongueV11,v and Ybent upward as shown.

` whereby said lace; however, touinsure the cover re having 'a tongue Myimproved .device Y comprises va co-ver member 14 attachedto a' basemember 15 by means of a pivot 16 jour-A naledin ears 17 attachedthereto. Cover gated as shown. Y An upstanding. member 19, y i

preferably also corrugated, attached Ato or Vintegral withbase member 15 is" .disposed opposite camshapedportion 18 of cover 14, opposingmembers/18 and 19 serve to grip and securely bindfthe end portions oflaces 20. As will be evident from oi' such shape that the laces may begripped when the cover 14 is ina partlyor semi-open position.A Howeverywhen Yf'cover L14 is brought toa fully open position, as for eX- a-inple-as indicated by the 'dotted lines. in

, Figure 4, ample space isprovioled Jfor the insert-ion of the laces.` 1By causing the grip-y Vopportunity given orl inserting the vloose ,Yends of the lace beneath the cover 14.

lThe cover will be held closed dueto the binding'y actionfon @the endportions ofthe inaining in such closed position, II preferably provide aslightly hooked V'shaped tip 21 at the end of cover v1 4 which'engages alip orcatclr22oi1 I.base member 15, thespring actioiiwof both membersmaintaining the cover 14 shut, but lpermitting it to open upon theapplication of sufficient force by thev fingers. yEars 17 arefpreferably provided with longitudinal if portions 23, 23 lwhich extendacross the space betweenv opposing grip-ping members 18 and 1Q/on eitherside or" said members'. portions 23,l 23 servel` as a support foi-theThesey laces and prevent them from being carried beneath member 18 whereYthe gripping' aci tion 'is less effective, v

Vtlien is desired to employv `improvedy devicev abovedescribedffforsecuring the ends 10i? a` shoelace, the claspfis securedtothe tongue 11 ofthe shoe'as hasbeen described. Cover 14 now havingbeen moved into a fully` open position, theendportions of the shoe'string are inserted between the opposing l gripping'members'18and 19.This having i 'been done, thelaces arek gripped by moving cover14'downward"untilV the laces are engaged.V The ends of the' shoe lacemay, it

i es

desired,'be tied around upstanding' member 19 or suchtying may bedispensed with, and

in either case' the loose ends folded, rolled or twisted into condensedform and inserted beneath cover 14,A after whichythe cover is broughtdown and into engagement with the securing member 22 attached to basememf ber 15. The .operation in removing the clasp is substantially thereverse of the above 'described operation.

The above device, while eii'ectively accom-j -witli thercover member ahousing for more or less completely 'enclosing the loose ends of thelace. I also provide means whereby such vmember is automatically movedinto the desired position and maintained in such position 'while thecompacted ends are received betweenit and the cover member. Upon furtherdownward movement of the cove-r, the intermediate member is moveddownward therewith and is entirely contained Y within the cover memberwhen the latter is in .the closed position.

kThis intermediate member I have designated as 25 and it is pivotallysecured to base member 15 by means of pivots 26 lpassing -Ythroughupstanding lportions or ears 17 of the base member 15 and extendinglingers 27 of intermediate member 25, as is best shown in Figs. 5. andV6. n

As shown in Fig. 5, intermediate member 25 has aI cutout portionv nearpivots 26 fory accommodating the upstanding. or gripping member 19 whileits other end engages be- -nea'th a hook 28 of cover 14', when thelatter is in the closed position. However, whenv vthe coverandgintermediate members are raised the hoolr 28 mov-es out from underthe intermediate member thereby releasing the same due to the relativepositions of the pivots of the cover and intermediate members.

`For the purpose of moving intermediate member 25 to the desiredposition, and for member25 maybe used. Thus the intermef diate membermay be caused to assumeV a lowered position against the base member whencover 14 is iii a fully opened position if this is desired.

The operation of this i'orm of my vdevice is essentially the same asthat oil the form iiist described. The use of the device, liowever, isfacilitated bly-'the operation Vof the intermediate member which thusprevents. the `loose ends of the lace from escaping while the'covermember is being closed. V,As clearly shown in Figure 6, the upstandingportions or ears 17 fulfill the same lunction as extending portions 23,23 of lthe form ot device shown in Figs; 1 and 2 to prevent the lacesbeing carried below the effective gripping areas of members 18 and`19. i

In Fig. 4 I have shown conventional means Vfor attaching the clasp totheshoe tongue in maintaining it therein, I have provided avpair of cams 29integral vwith cover 14', each having a steep portion 29. Each cam 29 isengaged by a follower 30 forming an exten" sion of each finger 27 of theintermediate XVhen, now, the cover 14 is lifted from its closedposition, intermediate` member 25 will be lifted due to the hook 28 ofcover 14.v At the same time, follower 30 willV be acted upon byvsteepportion 29a of thel cam which action willbe effective inde pendently ofhook 28 to raise the intermediate member 25 until follower V8O hasridden past .steep portion 29a. Intermediate member 25 will now occupythe position shown the form or" aprong Iinay, however, provide means forengaging the shoe tongue which shall be capa-ble of automatic releasewhereby the clasp may be removed from the shoe without the necessity ofunbeiiding the portion ot' the prong 0r prongs beneaththe shoe tongue.In Figsy 8, 9 and 10 I have shown this automatic means in connectionwith the other improved features which have already been described, butit will be eviico dent that the releasing' means may be incorporatedwithout the inclusion oit the. inten mediate member, should this bedesired.

Referring now to 8, I have provided `a presser member v35 which Yhas Vaspring body portion 36 secured to base member 15" by means of a rivet 37orotherrattaching means. Spring portion 86 urges th-e presser memberv35, the under side of which preferably is corrugated as shown, againstan opposing member 88, which may also be corrugated and attached tov andforming anext-ension ofl base member 15. A slot '39y isI provided invtongue 11 for the insertion or removal of the opposing member 38.5 Asshown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, body portion 86 of the presser member isprovided with a cut out port-ion 36a to accommodate upstanding, orgripping member 19, and with an upstanding hoolnshape member 40,gripping member. 19 being undercut as shown by the dotted lin-es of Fig.10.V VAs shown in this figure cut out portion or slot 36St is long lloVenough for member 36 Vto be'vslipped Ytrated in'Figs. l to 8 while onthe otherh hand, I

ativelyfsi'mple and practical means` for faover member 19V inacross-wise position. ber 40 VVenters a slot 4l'in cover 14y and isengaged the end 42 of the slot when the cover' is in Va fully `raisedpositioii.f Thus the form already described and-'illustrated in v Figs.'4 to 7 inclusive.

It will thus be seen that where simplicityy of manufacture isparamount,lthevlorm illusj inclusive may be used,

have provided relcilitating the operation ofthe device and :tor

. tures illustrated in An important advantage of myV inventionVexperience thatV Y shoe will in time t 'l the shoe thereby 'impairingits neat VlVloreover, as

`tain teaturesof one or `the otherinodificaas may prove accomplishingits read Vremoval lfrom the shoe wheny it is vdesirab e to employ theJfea- Figs. 4 to'lO inclusive.

arises :from the fact that lit may be secured to the shoe tongue. It isa matter of common tend to work to one side ot appearance.V By thelusef'or' my device-however, it will'belseen that'whenthe laces'p'havebeen gripped thereby'the tongue will be held securely in its properplace-and .all possibility of the tongue being gradually worked to"`last mentioned permitting said cover'imeiny bertoiclosev againstsaidintermediate member' upon t member while said intermediatemember. `is

one side of theshoe is prevented.

WVhile'I have described' in great detail em-j bodiments of thesedilerent quired by the patent statutes,-it will be un! derstood thatsuch :forms are illustrative only and that the invention may be carriedout in various' other specific embodiments.

will readilybe apparent, certions may be omitted, and some may bealtei-ed and embodied in others andthe general objects of the inventionaccomplished.

Invthe foregoing description and in the claims the terms semi-open. .andsemiclosed are to be construedv in aA general rather than a mathematicalsense as the'V semi-open7 (or semi-closed) position referred to need notbe exactly half way between the Jully'closed and ully open positions butmay be any intermediateposition desirable in practice] 1. A clasp Y for'shoe strings comprising in combination, a basemember, a cover memy' berpivoted thereto, an upstanding member carried by said base member and avcamsliaped member attached to said cover mem'- ber and coacting withsaid upstanding mem- 12. A; clasp for-shoev strings comprising'in Aremoved by 'withdrawing op- 88 through slot 39 i'nthe the lmethod o'using' this v lsaid cover member;A

inevitably 1 the tongue of a forms,f as reposition.

cover member isy moved combination, fa base member, a cover member,means actuated-by jinovement L of said with said! cover member a.housing for `the ber is in a semi-open position.

ber; means actuated'byv ovement ol said cover memberforfgrippingthelaces and a i bei? to bindl the 'laces therebetween vwhile thev iromja semi-open toV pivotedintermediatemember lbetween said cover andbase members,.means for holding.y

said intermediate member in a raised rposition Vwhen said. cover4 is-inan open `positionwhereby in suchv positions vof r coverandiiiterinediate members the'ends of the laces may be slippedbetweenfthem, said holding means permitting saidV intermediate member toreturnto the 'closed .position with lil `looseend's ofthe laces while saidcover mem- 4. A clasp orfshoe strings comprising in pivoted intermediate'member' between said cover and base members,

saidinte'rmediate member in a raisedfposifurther movement ot' the coverlcombination',.-a"base member, a cover'meint belg-means actuated bymovementy of said coverineinber for gripping 'the laces and .a 11.

lmeans lfor holding. j

in a raised iposition' vand permitting `said inf. termediate member-tovreturn to thenclosed lposition with said cover member. Y for shoevstrings comprising in 5. A Vclasp combination, a base member, a covermemcover member for vgripping the laces and a' .pivoted intermediatemember between said cover and base members, means o'rholding jsai'dintermediatermember in a raised position when said cover is in an openposition "begane-ans actuated by movement of saidv 7 whereby insuchpositions ofcover and 'in-f termediate members the ends of the lacesmay beslippedbetween them, said holding F2391 V,hook shapedportion'adapted to engage the .cover member-for gripping'thelaces,anda.Y pivoted intermediate membery between said i cover and base membersadapted-l kto 'torni 3. A clasp orshoe stringscomprising inV lcombination, a base member, a vcoverV memunder side of theintermediatemember prior' Iii?) to said lcover member attaining a closedber, means Vactuated by movement of said 130 cover member for grippingthe laces, Aand a Y cover and base members, meansi'or lifting saidVintermediatemember With said; cover mem-ber from closed'positiom; andcam means for iixing saidV intermediate member .in `asemi-fopen.positionalE While -saidcover is moved to a fully open positijonm.

7 .A clasp'for shoe,l strings comprising'in combination,VV a basememben, a ,covergmem-g ber,ineansoactiiatedby movement `of said covermember for gripping the; ;laces,ai1d 21 pivoted*intermediate membervbetween said cover-,and base members, meansfincluding a cam,- forliftingsaid intermediate member With-said cover member from. closedposition andcam means for fixing said intermediate member. in asemi-open positionwhile`l said cover is moved; to ,aullyfopen,posltion.,fy

8. A clasp for shoec strings comprising inE combination, a basemember, alcover inember,means actuated -by movement of said,l ing a tongueaclasphaving a base membercover. member ri'or grippin-gtlie laces, meansfor securingrsaid clasp to a member ofthe shoe and means forVVreleasing",said securing Hl@ 3DS.

9L 'A clasp for. slioestifings comprising iii combination, a basemember,a coverfmemr.

ber,7 means: actuated `by movement 4ofsaid cover niembervfor grippingthe laces, -means comprising. .a spring pressedpresser-mem.- ber forsecuringsaid clasp to afvmemberot the: shoe and @means orreleasing .said.vs ecurf,y ing meaiis.-l

l0. 1A clasp for. shoe: strings comprising in combination, a kbasemember,v a cover member piveted thereto, '.opposingpgripping members forsaid shoel stringsrespectively carried by said cover and basemembers-and constructed and arranged( to-gripfsaid laces While saidcover member is 4movedromnay semi-open toa closed position, means; forse-` f cnring'said clasp .to a membernof t'heishoe4 yandm'eans actuated;by' movement of said cover member for releasing said lsecuring means: I

ll. A clasp forshoe stringsr comprising combinatioin a base member, acover memfber, mean'sgactuated by movement of said cover Vmember forgripping the laces and 1a tion- When said coveris in anopen rpositionwhereby in such positions vof coverandim termediate members the ends ofthe laces v,may be slippedv between them,v said holding Y5o pivotedintermediate member.: between said,v cover and base members,l means forholding -said intermediate-member in a raised porsi-` means permittingsaid intermediate member l to retin-into the closed yposition with saidcover member, means for securing said clasp .toa memberof the shoe andmeans'actuated byfanovement. of saidinember :fori releasing.saidgsecuringineans. Y l

l2. In combintaion Withg a lace shoe hav-` ;and a cover member, meansactuatedjby movementoi saidcover-anember for grip- )ino-the lacesVmeanszifor securingy said lClas d 2J 7 b i to said tongue and means`actuated by movement-ofthe cover member -for releasing. said securingmeans.

and va cOVeiHmember, mea-ns .actuated ,movement of said: cover memberAfor toisaid tongue and means for releasing` said securing means. Y l

14. Imcombination'ivith a lacedshoe hav- Ling a tongue,a clasp having abase member =and a cover member', means actuatedA by movements of saidcover member orvgripping the laces, and meansgfor. securingrsuch claspto said tongue.4

Boiiis'BiI-iorrii.

13.,y In combination with a lace shoehagv-k: .ing a tongue, aclasphaving a b aSe member ,by grip.; ping tlie ,laces,means forsecuring 'suchv clasp`

